Hapuna Beach, HI

OK. Last day. We can’t come back to the snow from Hawaii without at least saying “we were at the beach”.  So the non-beach goers made a plan.

We started the morning by driving to two different private golf courses just to have a look. The first one was Hualalai where they held the PGA Champions (seniors) tournament a few weeks ago. We had to pass through a guarded gate and explain what we were doing to gain access. We were informed it is private property but were allowed in. Actually even though all these resorts are private they have to allow public access to their beaches by Hawaiian law, so we could have used that for our reason as well. The second course, Hapuna, wasn’t as fussy, just waved us through when we said we were going to the golf course. Anyway they both looked lovely and a bit more challenging than the one we did play, though not well used probably due to the cost - $250 plus to golf! Just because you pay that prices does not a good golfer make  – we saw some pretty bad flubs going on but the attire was impressive – meow, meow!

Golf course

After this little bit of exploring we headed to the beach. We had looked at all the beach sites and decided Hapuna Beach State Park looked the nicest with beautiful white, versus black sandy beach. The coast of the big island is pretty rugged so even though they say there are over 80 beaches it isn’t always possible to find the sandy ones. We thought we were getting there pretty early but the parking lot was getting full. Off we went, towels, cooler bag, camera, etc.  in hand, to join the throngs. The waves were impressive, the sand warm and fine, the crowds entertaining. We did enjoy our swim or should I call it bob in the warm water and incoming waves and had a great time watching the kids, young and old. The little ones were all having a great time either boogie boarding or just playing in the waves. By the time we were getting ready to go the tide was coming in so the waves were getting higher and the older kids were “surfing” or at least trying to ride a wave or two to shore – they weren’t very far out so could touch the bottom most of the time.

Wave rider

When we decided we had had enough of the sun and our suits had dried on our old bodies, we headed up the coast seeking a place for lunch. We found ourselves at a little café in the town of Kawaihae Harbour. Because we had had such a great time whale spotting a few days ago and we were already a good ways up the coast we carried on to the viewing sights from a few days ago and again saw lots of action out there. We also went to Hawi in search of more huli huli chicken but the wagon wasn’t there so had to make different dinner plans.

OK Where is the seaweed?

On our way back to the condo we stopped at the Queen’s and King’s malls (separate side by side malls) at Waikoloa Village – had a look around and again watched some golfers, had more ice cream – not macadamia nut today – then made our way back here.

The next task is to pack, yuck. This week had gone by way too fast. We have talked of coming back but for two weeks next time. Too many places to go so who knows when that return visit will be, but in the meantime we are here listening to the soft breezes in the palm trees and enjoying our last evening on the lanai.